Part-VII, A Glimpse of Rig-Veda
(Copy right protected by Dr. G.S. Tripathy)
Arrogant – Sinful Mind
The arrogant and sinful mind always defies the mighty soul when wounded. The dark and blind impulses are weakened and scattered by this arrogant and sinful mind. The barriers set by the soul have been broken by the animated and sinful impulses when gathered together.
In three virtuous directions – the powerful soul gains its strength. They are physical, spiritual and mental.
As the water of a river flows over the fields, with her breached banks, thoughts flow over the mind that delights the soul being wounded & prostrated.
Such flow is obstructed by the mind.
Multiply your Hands to Thousands:
To collect multiply your hands to a hundred but to distribute multiply the hundred hands to a thousand always.
In Vedic text, the virtue of charity is eulogized and praised. That will place you in the world of bliss whatever you have donated and set apart for public good. To the divine man is elevated through charity and donation. In certain cases some are not worthy of being gifted to. The deserving and undeserving ones are to be distinguished by the donor. Helping hands are to be given to disabled, the lame, the blind etc only who feel extremely difficult to survive without help.
Those who do never squander away the gifted wealth deserve donations – they are the second category.
After using the gifted amount, people donate unspent money to more needy people – are the third category who deserve help. Selfless workers do also deserve charity, who dedicate their time and energy for the upliftment of education, health, morality and spiritual values of the mass day in and day out.
Powerful Soul:
The powerful soul is the sovereign of all impulses and emotions including that of movable and immovable. Also it is the prime mover of aggressive or peaceful. As the circumference encompasses the spokes of a wheel all activities of mankind are centered within the soul only. In other words the soul is the monarch of all creatures created by the Brahma.
To reach the sphere of the soul, the soul throws open the cave that had blocked the path of noble impulses by destroying the strength of the demoniac forces. Like cows stolen by wicked people and kept hidden, good impulses are destructed by greed.
Spiritual stream of seven oceans are caused by powerful soul. They are benevolence, love, truth austerity generosity, contentment and knowledge to flow freely.
Peace and Prosperity:
Means of acquisition of wealth should be ideal and fair. To keep our selves safe and secure we generally build houses, procure food stuff and clothing. Without having the co-operation from others, we cannot say that our earnings are out of our own labour. They have their share surely with our wealth those who have put their head and hands with us in our acquisition.
Wealth often leads to pride and lust that achieves power and victory. The means we adopt to collect wealth should be fair and honest. If by unfair means wealth is acquired it will never give peace and contentment.
‘O’ God resplendent – O’ Great God – bless the universe with spiritual wealth which is ever lasting. This will lead to victory and peace and protect the people from evil impulses. Make the people the messenger of peace & prosperity.
Death is personified:
As a deity with eyes to see and ears to hear, death is personified. With divine qualities he is advised out to tread on the path of men. Every ordinary man is assailed by the fear of death. Death has no existence to the enlightened few.
Associated with death, it is the fear that is wrongly comprehended as death only. Of a dying man, a sinful person has all the symptoms. By the fear of death, the more is he threatened, the more untruthful a person becomes.
Hymn 18 of book X of the Rig-Veda is addressed to death. The first verse reads as follows –
“O – Death depart to a distant path that is your own – go hence which is distinct from the divine – pursue that path. Our off-springs should not be injured by you. Our fellow – men should not be harmed by your good self. With humility and dedication let them live an active and exuberant life.”
Vedic Doctrine of administration:
In accordance with the law of justice of the Divine Lord the Vedic Doctrine of administration of a state is controlled. God is addressed as father and ruler by many verses of the Vedas.
The merciful Lord should be the divine guide for the ruler of the state to make him eminent and renowned.
“For you always – let all wish”:- These words are significant and important in the verse. So long as people wish you remain in the seat or other wise vacate immediately. Under your administrations, let it be secured and safe.
May the supreme Lord bless you with divine words as are bestowed by the royal priest on you. Delighted by your services, may the supreme Lord establish you dearly.
To be guardian of the state, may you continue always.
As Good as Dead:
Without divine qualities one is as good as dead. The main theme is of longevity beginning with a threat to death, is styled as hymn to death. He will be away from energetic and active life as he has to depart to a far distant place. To attack a saintly person death has no guts as one dare not put his feet on the sacred pot of a sacrificial fire. Against the principle of morality, it is the behaviour. That is subdued by the fear of death breaking the laws of God.
May you proceed forward – ‘O’ – performers of sacred deeds effacing the footsteps of death by prolonging our span of useful life? Every moment, may you be diligent in your dedication.
From the scheme of life death cannot be wiped out. The fear of death, threatens to the sinful every moment of their lives. With progeny and affluence may you enrich yourself.
Bestow Peace and Happiness:
Bestow peace and happiness “‘O’ administrator or ruler on your subjects. You are the destroyer of evil forces being guardian of your people and you are the sustainer of the state.
Our minds should not be tormented by evil spirit. Far beyond a posture – measure let poverty and hunger be driven by you. To give us all protection may you be stronger shower happiness on us by holding the weapons of justice.”
To share the happiness and misery, the ruler should live amidst his own people, as an all time ideal for them, he reflects their aspiration and stands by the side. True ruler is secular and generous always.
His duty is to protect the people and the land from foreign attack. From all kinds of diseases, injustice & poverty, he should guard his subjects.
Death is the Master:
As the cause of death Lord has not assigned hunger. Those who are eating well and much, death also comes to them. Hence death is the master in all circumstances.
Owing to their excess eating rich people also die. That only a hungry man faces death, it is not true. One is sure to die when he is born in this mortal world. Hence to alleviate the misery of others the wise and intelligent people utilize their acquisition. Because of his doing charity in life, there is no example to see that a person becomes poor.
Like providing relief to the needy and the poor, men flourish through benevolent deeds. On the other hand, it leads to bankruptcy and mental distress due to misuse of wealth.
One does not have peace and joy in life if he has no mercy and charity. Let alone doing good to others, he does not do justice to his own life and duties. At a miser’s ‘dwelling for help, even a beggar does not look for.’
SOMA is not alcoholic:
In the Vedic texts, Soma is not to be understood as alcoholic drink. Soma is the cause of enlightenment and bliss. On the other hand, where as liquor excites the body and the mind of the drunken beyond his control and firmness. And in excessive dose liquor shakes the mental and physical frame of the Drunken.
Sura is stupefying where as Soma is vitalizing. To the wise Soma imparts, delight and ensures perfect happiness and joy where as Sura is a beverage to be enjoyed by the wicked drunkards only.
Victims of a perpetual hell are the sharers of Sura whereas Soma is a conceptual beverage of devotion.
Extreme devotion to God has been signified by Soma which brings prosperity, truth and light. They are SRI, SATYA and JYOTISH in Sanskrit. On the contrary, Sura signifies misery, darkness and untruth, Seated in our innermost consciousness, the source of Soma is the supreme reality. Which is immortal juice of love devotion and dedication?
Soma is the spiritual elixir.
Epitome of Cosmic Sacrifice
The epitome of cosmic sacrifice is no ther than a saint in the true sense of the term. He is a mundane being – not heavenly at all. With a human body he is born and brought up on earth. With virtue and enlightenment, he has been impregnated in the mundane world. By any worldly allurement and ambition he is never deterred at all.
With the universal spirit, a saint conjoins his movements. For the life of others he lives peacefully and happily. Of the virtuous, he is the truth worthy companion being firm protector of the week and the needy and of all beings he is the benevolent well wisher.
Through labour and penance he enriches himself supported by truth and righteousness. He leaves the ephemeral body with a blissful smile when he breathes his last.
To a seet, to a community, to a land and to a language such a mortal is not limited. Surrounding him, he shares the delight as well as agony of the people. From his share, he feeds the hungry, gives clothes to the naked. Everywhere he destroys evil and bad things.
Of all dedicated work, he is the all time leader with a sharp vision which could read the future.
Rules of Conduct:
Seven codes of conduct have been stipulated by the wise men to be followed by the mankind in their day to day lives. He is a sinner who deviates from any one of those codes against humanity by obstructing the progress of the society. The rules of conduct for man are-as-follows;
a. Non-violence,
b. Constant search for the divine,
c. Truthfulness,
d. Observing celibacy,
e. Cleanliness,
f. Non-possession of other’s property,
g. Self – introspection,
h. Keeping good company
Self introspection and constant search for the divine are mingled with each other and hence they can be taken as one only.
The progress of others not to be obstructed is nothing but nonviolence. Truth is eternal and changeless. To preserve vigour and give up meanness in life is celibacy. Cleanliness is the purification of body, mind and soul. Self study is to keep company with learned men and to have regular introspection, search for divine is the eagerness to realize the spirit behind creation. To consume as much as barely necessary and not to own the fruits of the efforts of others is non-stealing.
Even at the moment of misery and depression he keeps his head high as he becomes the ruler of his own mind and body by establishing the codes of conduct indicated aforesaid.
Young or Old:
Young or old in age is truly old if his behaviour inspires a cruel man to become a benevolent one. If he inspires a wicked man to a polite one and a hater to a lover he is also treated as old.
According to verse He will be recognized as kind if he encourages a coward to be courageous, an ignorant one to be knowledgeable, a cruel one to be kind and fallen one to arise. His virtuous acts and aptitude make him old or wise, but not the long length of years he lives.
His glory shines up on his surrounding although he is young in age. Through righteous means he earns and enjoys riches. To all who come in contact he is the dispenser of light.
He stands as a beacon for mankind free from blemish, anger, greed and passion.
A man who shakes voluntarily due to physical weakness with a frail and fragile body is the common conception of an old man. But as per the verse it is quite different.
Vulgar Luxury with Co-wives:
Competing to earn the favour of their husband, co-wives envy each other. When they do not quarrel each other there is not a single day – listening to the complaints and counter complaints of his wives, the poor husband thus leads a very miserable life. He will be dragged to the road sometimes by them. In the society he becomes a laughing stock eventually. But by then he has ruined his life when the moment of repentance comes to his mind.
It is worst sort of tragedy to satisfy the desires of a number of wives though sometimes to discharge the various duties along with a virtuous wife may be difficult for a man in life.
For marrying more than one wife he narrates his agony to others. When he falls a pray to sexual impulses, he repents for his weak moments in life.
Indulging in such vulgar luxury like polygamy the verse speaks of the misfortune of a husband.
Blissful Motherland:
To his land of birth man owes his gratitude including his mother tongue and rich cultural heritage. To their language and mother culture occupy respectful place in our hearts.
In our performances and ceremonies – “may we adore them”. In the reverential prayers of a devotee in Vedic texts the triad ILA – MAHI and Saraswati find a place often. To widen the horizon of their wisdom, thought and deeds, these loving and fascinating words of the seers through which they inspire the chanters are remarkable to note.
Through our noble deeds may we offer homage to these three goddesses for our enlightenment. Their divine virtues may be extolled by us.
This brings wisdom and felicity when we worship our divine Land, language and rich cultural heritage. When we dedicate ourselves to their well-being and promotion we achieve our noble aspirations. Then we enjoy the full span of a happy life when they dominate over all our performance.
Sweet Taste:
Love and affection always give a sweet taste in our life in general. Even good food does not give any benefit with hatred in mind. Thinking to be sweet even if we chew a bitter item, that also turns sweet. With fear in mind, if a man takes medicine, that does not yield good results even if it is a “panacea”.
The bride and bridegroom pray to the Lord with Madhu Parka at the start of marriage for blessing in their wedded life to be full of joy and sweetness. Honey curd and ghee together is known as Madhuparka.
As per the verse – “The world becomes sweet and pleasant for those who follow the path of truth. It becomes full of poison for those who follow the evil path.”
Family Life:
“With an evil eye never look upon your husband and never be hostile to him – ‘O’ bride. – as the hymn says – ever be amiable and cheerful and be tender to animals – of brave children be the proud mother – Be the bestower of happiness, loving to the divine powers – and bring prosperity – to quadrupeds and bipeds.”
‘O’ – Bride:
“May you never be separated from your husband and children and may you live together all your life – with grand children.”
‘O’ – Bride:
“Obey your husband given by the Lord who is the creator of cosmic orders and may the husband be the master of the household.”
Bride is felicitated:
To the place of marriage, the bride and bridegroom come together where both of them are felicitated. For the highly evolved concept of married life the Vedas provide suitable path. Bridegroom may the master of the household till old age.
‘O’ – Bride:
“Be the queen to your father-in-law & Mother-in-law and to your husband’s sisters and brothers.”
“Pray for the favour of God when you are blessed with good children” – ‘O’ Bride.
Serve the Society:
As per the aptitude and ability in different vocations as stated in the verse – members of the same family are free to serve the society. To meet the needs of the people, the Vedas envisage a developed society consisting of professions and occupations.
To promote the human culture and civilization they have the potentiality and strength. They carry a message for all times, relating to man at the earliest stage of human history.
To live in with comforts and purposefulness the ancient seers of the Vedic age developed positive sciences and they made the world worth while.
Happiness in the Family Life:
With the rising sun the prosperity mounts up when the happiness knows no bounds. Husband in the family is the source of unfurled glory. Maintain an honorable life by triumphing over evils.
Mother is the emblem of the house and she is the summit of honor. Righteous will of the wife is conformed by the husband.
Trouble makers are destroyed by her sons. In her own right the daughter is a virtuous ruler. So the mother is victorious.
